A Pb2+-binding polychelatogen derived from thionated lactideElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Synthetic details, characterization, and X-ray crystallographic data. CCDC 1477173-1477175. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c6ra16230d

The synthesis and characterization of a polychelatogen derived from thionated lactide is reported. The four step synthesis from l -LA requires thionation and thia-Diels-Alder steps to afford a highly strained spiro-lactone adduct that is amenable to ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Saponification of the polymer affords a polyanion that exhibits a high affinity for toxic Pb 2+ in aqueous solutions, results that we attribute to thioether and hydroxy carboxylate chelating moieties that are integrated into the polymer backbone and residues respectively. The synthesis and characterization of a polychelatogen derived from thionated lactide is reported.